By Tim Musungu

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May 4, 2014 21:48:00

The tax men moved to within a point of table toppers Chemelil Sugar after they secured a fourth straight victory against lowly Mathare United

Joseph Mulume turned from hero to villain scoring in the first half and being sent off in second period as Kenya Revenue Authority beat Mathare United 1-0 to move to within a point of log leaders Chemelil Sugar

It was the fourth straight victory for Ken Kenyatta’s charges as he keeps his promise of giving the big boys a run for their money. For Mathare it was another case of blowing hot and cold as they lost this match hot on the heels of causing an upset against AFC Leopards’.

It was the ‘Slum boys’, who had the better of opening exchanges with youngstar Harrison Mwenda tormenting on the wings. He twice created danger with movement on the wing before cutting back a cross but no one was at hand to finish it off.

Hussein Zzinda tried his luck from distance with 22 minutes gone on the clock but his shot went just wide. Four minutes later, the Ugandan once again tried his luck but his header from Mwenda’s cross went over.

With the missed chances, Stanley Okumbi’s men were punished on the opposite end with Joseph Mulume scoring a beauty with a left foot shot after dancing past Mathare defenders. Mathare again had another chance to equalize but went begging.

Hussein Zzinda should have struck a first time shot after finding space at the edge of the box but he took time to eventually shoot and his shot blocked. Okumbi sought to sharpen his striking force pulling out the off color Daniel Mwaura for Eric Johannah. Dead ball specialist Noah Abich had a decent attempt from almost 30 yards off but his freekick hit the side netting.

In the second period, Mathare kept on their attack minded play with Harrison Mwenda seeing his shot go over after four minutes of the restart.On the hour mark, Mathare had the best chace of the game from a well executed set piece with John Mwangi seeing his stinging shot saved by the KRA custodian Kevin Otieno.

Joseph Mulume was given his marching orders 20 minutes from time after appearing to stamp on Noah Abich. Coach Ken Kenyatta then was forced to pull out Rosevelt Blaty for Collins Omondi, thereby packing a five man defense with three men in the middle.

Mathare sought to use their numerical advantage piling bodies forward but a no-nonsense defense and a steady keeper in between the revenue collectors’ posts ensured they were never successful. Bernard Omondi missed a glorious sitter for Mathare in 73rd minute after the keeper had spilled Mwenda’s shot, instead tapping the ball wide.

KRA should have wrapped up the game with ten minutes to play but Joseph Emeka wasted a great chance from a counter attack, shooting the ball over from Geoffrey Kataka’s decent pass. Mathare had a late chance to draw level but Ken Wendo missed another decent chance tappoing over from Joseph Njuguna’s cross.